Managing crowd, maintaining law & order his main tasks

The world's largest religious fair held each year on the banks of Sangam is on. A mammoth crowd of around 80 lakh devotees is expected to have the holy dip on the occasion of Mauni Amavasya on January 29.

The world's largest religious fair held each year on the banks of Sangam is on. A mammoth crowd of around 80 lakh devotees is expected to have the holy dip on the occasion of Mauni Amavasya on January 29.

HT Image

Like others, the police department plays a significant role in maintaining law and order, managing traffic and facilitating bathing.

Circle Officer Rajesh Yadav who headed the police team in the Magh Mela last year has again been entrusted with the same responsibility this year. Last year this great religious fair was virtually incident-free except for a few incidents in which overcrowded boats capsized but its occupants were saved due to alert police and PAC divers. Though it cannot be said for granted at this stage as to whether the remaining bathing days will again be incident-free, however, since January 14 till date no major mishap has taken place in the mela area where policing is being done by a force of 1,500 cops drawn from various districts in the State. In a tête-à-tête with BK Singh, CO Rajesh Yadav throws light on the threat perception, arrangements and police preparedness to deal with the situation.

How will you manage Mauni Amavashya bathing with so many devotees thronging Sangam area.
They will not come together but will form a chain. After a dip most of the devotees prefer to return back. The incoming and outgoing routes are different so handling the crowd will not be a problem.

What about additional deployment of force?
Yes, about 200 men have been added to the existing force of 1500 in view of the importance of the day when a large number of people begin bathing from midnight itself. Moreover, we have volunteers from Civil Defence, NCC, Scouts, NSS and other organisations to help the cops.

What about the threat perception?
Though we have not received any threat till now from any of the terrorist outfits, however, the danger is always there. As such we are not taking any chances and are fully prepared to deal with any awkward situation.

What about commandos coming to guard the mela?
Yes, demand had been made but then it was realised that we have about a dozen commandos among the cops posted here. And then more than this the army is also there to assist and aid us. Two army columns have been asked to keep in readiness in case of any such need. One column has 80 men. These columns will be headed by a Major. We will be in touch with senior army officers. A joint meeting in this regard has already been held with senior army officers.

What about aerial help ?
The army is even prepared to extend the services of helicopters if the situation so arises. Men from intelligence agencies are already moving in the Mela area. No body can recognise them. They are doing their job and are in touch with us.

What arrangements have been made on the ghats for the safety of pilgrims?
More than 600 boats including six motor boats will be deployed in the two rivers in order to prevent mishaps and render instant help to those in distress on main bathing days.

Will lesser number of devotees turn up this time as compared to last year's?
It is unlikely. The crowd on Daraganj side prefers to have the dip there only instead of coming to the main Sangam area. Then there are several other ghats between these two ghats. This helps in the diversion of crowd. Things would have become really difficult in case of concentration of bathing at a
single ghat.